Ignition and Extinction Characteristics of Electrically Controlled Solid Propellants

Abstract

The ignition and extinction characteristics of perchlorate-based electrically controlled solid propellants (ECSPs) that can achieve multiple ignition and produce controllable thrusts were investigated. We examined the multiple-ignition and combustion behaviors of ECSPs and identified the basic ignition-model parameters for these materials. Single-frame photography and a schlieren imaging system were used to determine the ignition, combustion, and extinction properties of two different ECSP formulations at various voltages, pressures, and initial temperatures. The results revealed that increasing the voltage, pressure, and initial temperature reduced the ignition delay; whereas increasing the number of ignitions decreased the ignition delay and ignition energy but increased the extinction delay and smoldering time. Furthermore, under the same experimental conditions, the voltage, pressure, and initial temperature produced a larger effect on a nonmetallic ECSP than on an ECSP containing 5% aluminum (Al) powder. The nonmetallic ECSP exhibited a longer ignition delay, higher ignition energy, and better extinguishing performance than the Al-containing ECSP. Moreover, four distinct stages of the ECSP ignition process were identified. The findings of this study demonstrated that the electrical energy consumed during condensed phase heating plays a critical role in propellant ignition.